Dolan, Palladino to face off in Governor’s Council primary
Incumbent Mara Dolan, a Acton resident, will face Margie Palladino in the District 3 Democratic primary.
Acton voters will again help settle a race for a seat on the oft-overlooked Governor’s Council.
Incumbent Mara Dolan, a Acton resident, will face Margie Palladino in the District 3 Democratic primary, a state elections spokesperson told The Acton Bridge.
Candidates had until May 26 to file certified nomination signatures with the Secretary of the Commonwealth. This was the last step to qualify for this year’s ballots, Director of Communications Debra O’Malley confirmed.
The Governor’s Council reviews gubernatorial appointments to judgeships and other positions. It also considers pardons and commutations. District 3 covers more than 20 communities, including Acton.
Palladino, of Wellesley, heads an advocacy group promoting family court reform. She supported Dolan in her 2024 campaign but publicly criticized her this spring after Dolan supported a nominee that Palladino’s group opposed.
Palladino told The Bridge by email last week that the public deserves a counselor “who effectively listens and responds to her constituents — not only during a campaign.”
Dolan, a public defender, said she’s running on her “record of working for equal justice” and has “made sure our judges will uphold the rights of the most vulnerable.”
She reported raising just under $12,700 since the beginning of the year and spent roughly $7,600. She had just shy of $16,800 on hand as of Monday.
Palladino had registered with state campaign finance regulators but hadn’t reported any fundraising or spending.
Other candidates
The state primaries are September 1. The general election, which also features federal races, is November 3.
Former legislative staffer Ravi Simon remains unopposed in the state 13th Middlesex House district, which covers part of Acton. Simon Cataldo is seeking reelection for his 14th Middlesex House district. State Sen. Michael Barrett similarly secured a ballot line.
Incumbent District Attorney Marian Ryan is facing a primary challenge from David Marc Solet, a prosecutor who previously worked in her office.
Everyone on the ballot is a Democrat. No Republicans submitted paperwork.
